Date Posted: 07/17/2025
Req ID: 44317
Faculty/Division: VP & Provost
Department: Office of Digital Strategies
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Digital Strategies portfolio provides leadership on institutional digital strategies, focusing on enterprise-level services and systems, with a particular emphasis on information technology related to the academic mission of the University. The Digital Strategies portfolio works collaboratively with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead strategic planning efforts in close consultation with Deans, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Provosts and other academic administrators. A key focus will be the renewal of U of T’s student information systems, and the advancement of institutional policy, guidelines and projects.
The Executive Director, Digital Strategies leads the Office of Digital Strategies to realize the mandate of the Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies (AVP-VP, DS). The Executive Director, Digital Strategies leads in a highly collaborative and responsive manner, working with institutional portfolios and academic divisions to advance digital transformation in support of the academic mission. The Executive Director manages the development, approval, implementation, and monitoring of a Digital Strategies Long Range Plan to underpin the next century of innovation and excellence in research, teaching, and learning at U of T, and to align with institutional objectives such as supporting student success and enhancing student experience. The Executive Director provides ongoing oversight and support to management and decision-making to ensure that measures are being used to effectively manage operations and effect institutional change. The Executive Director spearheads the adoption of continuous improvement models for enterprise-level services and systems related to the academic mission, ensuring resource optimization and effective monitoring.
The Executive Director maintains cross-functional visibility across various portfolios (e.g. academic, student, research, finance, human resources) to help drive strategic initiatives forward and surface critical issues, and to support decision-making in line with the Plan and develop decision-making and advisory frameworks and structures for institutional digital strategies, including but not limited to the institutional academic and student application (IASA) ecosystem. The Executive Director translates broad objectives into outcome-focused program plans and maintains Digital Strategies-related roadmaps outlining key milestones, deliverables, and timelines. Collaboration with the CIO’s portfolio and Institutional Research & Data Governance (IRDG) will be crucial to understand and articulate the current and future needs in Digital Strategies as well as those of the IASA ecosystem.
The role encompasses strategic planning, program management, coordination of IT services, and financial and risk management. Responsibilities also include developing, maintaining, and monitoring an inventory of institutional academic and student applications, facilitating enhancements, renewals, replacements, or retirements as needed.

EDUCATION:

• University degree in Computer science, information science or other relevant degree; or equivalent in education and experience.
• A post-graduate degree is an asset.
• PMP designation or similar accreditation is an asset.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant experience in information technology at a senior level with demonstrated experience with enterprise systems in a complex, decentralized, large-scale institutional or corporate environment.
• Experience in leading digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience in academic administration, including knowledge of policies, procedures, organizational structure, and governance.
• Experience in identifying digital opportunities and developing strategies to capitalize on them.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects (milestones, budgets, resourcing), business process change, and/or technology application development and implementation.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams and working collaboratively with other senior executives.
• Experience in policy and guideline development and governance processes.
• Experience in change management and conflict resolution.

SKILLS:

• Deep understanding of digital strategy development, implementation, and optimization.
• Understanding of enterprise-level IT services and systems related to the academic mission.
• Ability to develop and execute long-term digital strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Knowledge of digital transformation and emerging digital technologies.
• Proficiency in digital strategy tools and software, such as analytics platforms, CRM systems, and project management tools.
• Ability to leverage information and technology to solve problems and accomplish goals.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans in collaboration with senior academic, IT, data, and finance leaders

Please refer the Job description for details